jdhmnovel Chapter 172 The Anniversary Incident
Chapter 172 The Anniversary Incident
The master and servant had just visited the White Horse Temple.
"Your Highness, do you really think the Imperial Noble Consort will believe this?" Wu Shi asked.
Jiang Zhi popped a candied fruit into her mouth and smiled. "Isn't she worried that Gu Yuan won't make it through? She'll definitely ask the abbot to inquire about his fate, and she'll also want to ask heaven to bless her."
"The day after tomorrow is the anniversary of Empress Gu Liang's death. We didn't let the abbot say anything; we were just telling the truth."
"Besides, isn't she fond of having an affair with Duke Liu? Let her have her fill of that affair this time."
The night before the First Queen’s Memorial Day.
Buddhist hall in the palace.
The Imperial Noble Consort knelt before the Buddha statue and murmured to herself, "May Buddha protect me, Amitabha."
"May Yuan'er wake up smoothly and be able to give birth to an heir for the royal family."
May you protect me and keep me safe and sound.
Suddenly, a cold sneer came from inside the Buddhist hall.
The Imperial Noble Consort paused, opened her eyes, and saw a man standing in front of the Buddha.
The Imperial Noble Consort gripped her prayer beads tightly. "Why does Prince Liang have the mind to come here to me?"
"I never imagined that the King of Liang would have believed in Buddhism."
Gu Liang casually placed the late empress's belongings on the table. "I have never believed in Buddhism."
"But Your Majesty, you are so devout in Buddhism. I wonder if Buddha will protect you."
The Imperial Noble Consort's face stiffened.
Gu Liang continued, "I heard that when my mother died, she gave birth to a stillborn child. I wonder if that child was reincarnated." He added, "The two spirits of the deceased are restless. I, the king, hereby perform a ritual to help my mother find peace."
After saying that, Gu Liang turned around and leaned lazily against the Buddha statue.
He noticed her expression. "Is Your Highness afraid?"
"Everyone says that the Imperial Noble Consort is kind and benevolent. Since she has not done anything immoral, why is she trembling when she enters this Buddhist hall?"
"Could it be that the Empress's benevolence is all a lie?"
The Imperial Noble Consort feigned composure and sneered, "I never expected that after six years in the Northern Di, the Prince of Liang would be just as lacking in manners as the Northern Di people."
"I am the mistress of the harem, and also your nominal mother."
Gu Liang smiled. "Is Your Majesty perhaps missing your son so much that you've gone mad?"
"Your Majesty considers yourself a model of etiquette and manners in the harem, but little does she know that beneath the rules of hierarchy lies a despicable woman."
The Imperial Noble Consort was enraged by him.
"Don't be so arrogant."
She smiled slightly, "I have watched you get to where you are today over the years."
"Gu Liang, this is the first time I've seen you so concerned about a woman. Aren't you afraid?"
"Do you threaten me?"
The Imperial Noble Consort turned her face away, closed her eyes, and began chanting sutras.
"I am merely reminding Prince Liang not to lose his composure."
Gu Liang sneered, "If Your Highness doesn't want Duke Liu to live past next month, you may do whatever you want. I guarantee you will die right in front of you."
The Imperial Noble Consort opened her eyes and retorted, "I am the Imperial Noble Consort of the Great Yan. Do you think I'll be afraid of you just because you threaten me with some insignificant outsider?"
Gu Liang's expression remained calm. "So it's nothing important?"
He turned away coldly, "Then you can be a good Imperial Noble Consort."
Just as they stepped out of the Buddhist hall, they saw the emperor walking towards them.
The emperor smiled and asked, "Why are you here in the Buddhist hall of the inner palace tonight?"
Gu Liang sneered, "Tomorrow is the anniversary of my mother's death."
She had barely finished speaking when she turned to leave. After taking two steps, she looked back at the Emperor. "However, Father must be too busy with state affairs to remember the anniversary of my mother's death."
"So many years have passed, I wonder how my mother and the dead fetus are doing in the afterlife."
Gu Liang coldly uttered these words and left without looking back.
Inside the Buddhist hall, the Imperial Noble Consort remained kneeling before the Buddha.
Hearing someone arrive, she opened her eyes. "Your Majesty, you've come."
Tomorrow is the anniversary of my sister's death.
“These past few days, I have often dreamt of my elder sister, so I have come to this Buddhist hall to chant sutras and recite Buddhist scriptures.”
Seeing that she was now dressed in simple clothes, the emperor helped her up. "Alas, my elder sister has been reminding me all along, and I have forgotten again."
"But aren't you tired of kneeling here like this?"
The Imperial Noble Consort pursed her lips, "These are all things that I should do."
The emperor nodded.
The emperor turned around, looked at the Buddha statue in front of him, and then his gaze fell on the late empress's belongings in front of the Buddha statue.
He went back, lit three incense sticks, and murmured a few words.
The Imperial Noble Consort looked up at the Emperor and gently comforted him, "Your Majesty, my sister has been gone for many years. Your Majesty often thinks of her, and in heaven, you will surely forgive what you did back then."
The Emperor turned to look at the Imperial Noble Consort, "My beloved consort understands me best."
The Imperial Noble Consort said, "It's just that tomorrow is the anniversary of my sister's death, and I'm afraid I won't be able to attend."
"Why?" the emperor asked.
"Hmm," the Imperial Noble Consort stammered, "I asked the abbot, and he said that if Yuan'er's condition is to improve faster, she must not participate in any sacrificial rites or similar activities."
Seeing the Emperor deep in thought, the Imperial Noble Consort added, "Your Majesty also wishes for Yuan'er to wake up soon, doesn't he?"
The emperor paused for a moment, then said, "Since the abbot says so, then so be it."
After arriving home, Gu Liang went to the study.
"Tomorrow is the anniversary of your mother's death," Jiang Zhi frowned and looked at Gu Liang. "Are you alright?"
"It doesn't matter."
Gu Liang's tone was very calm.
"It's okay." Jiang Zhi stepped forward and hugged him.
Gu Liang hugged him tighter.
“In a few days, the Eldest Princess will lead troops to the North, and I will go as well,” Gu Liang said, revealing what she knew, “It’s an order from the Emperor.”
“He wants your military power,” Jiang Zhi stated his opinion directly.
Gu Liang was somewhat surprised, "You noticed too?"
“Of course,” Jiang Zhi said, escaping his embrace, “but things aren’t as simple as he thinks. He’ll probably interfere before you send troops.”
Gu Liang nodded.
“I’m worried about my cousin,” Jiang Zhi sighed. “He’s already won her heart, and I don’t know how to advise her, and I’m afraid of hurting her feelings.”
"But he's really dangerous."
Jiang Zhi became increasingly agitated as she spoke, and Gu Liang grasped her hand, saying, "Zhu Tao, matters of the heart cannot be forced. One day, he and I will also clash."
"Now it seems that he doesn't want our lives, he just wants to create chaos in the entire Yanjing."
"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it." Jiang Zhi casually uttered these ordinary words, "Tomorrow's anniversary will surely bring another surprise to our Emperor."
Gu Liang looked at her and understood her plan, but he was still often amazed by Jiang Zhi's plans.
He always felt that the girl in front of him had many things on her mind, but it seemed that she couldn't say them. He didn't know if it was because she couldn't say them or because she didn't want people to worry.
Jiang Zhi looked at him, her heart leaping with joy.
Throughout her journey, she never imagined she would fall for someone again, nor did she ever think someone would understand her so well.
She still feels that what the abbot said was wrong. They are so close now, how could they be destined to be apart?